February 10, 2025 at 5:30 PM - Committee As A Whole

Discussion:  Doug Molczyk read the Mission Statement.

Discussion:  Amanda Nielsen-Coach/Sponsor

Mya Davis
Jazmine Hernandez
Aliyah Alas
Ashley De La Cruz-Martin

Amanda Nielsen-Advisor

Discussion: 

Paula Lawrence, West Park Elementary Principal, presented on student enrollment numbers, number of staff at West Park and gave the breakdown for EL, special education, and free and reduced students. Mrs. Lawrence talked about the AQuesTT classification West Park received "Good" including an addition of support in the special education students.  A plan has been created with the curriculum staff. The math teachers have been working with Julie Kreikemeier, Instructional Coach, to develop and implement Math WIN time for all grade levels. Mrs. Lawrence said West Park is celebrating the ELPA data which shows great growth. She said there is ongoing staff development for using the CKLA Core Program including mClass and Boost Trainings. Mrs. Lawrence shared that they are focused on engagement of school and community for fostering connections and building relationships. They are creating monthly newsletters and increasing facebook posts. They are scheduling attendance meetings with families. She said the Family Literacy program has been very positive. Student assemblies are another event they use for engagement of students.

Discussion: 

Amy Haynes, CMS Principal presented information on bringing the JAG Program into CMS. It would be an exploratory class. It would connect students with civic partners. There would be two classes each for 7th and 8th graders. That would be no more than 55 students total. It would align well with the JAG Program already offers at CHS. There would be criteria for students to be chosen for the program. 

Discussion: 

Dave Hiebner, CHS Principal and Adam Whitmore CHS Teacher presented information on eSports. They said there are 100 schools involved at this time. Discussion on games that would be allowed. Mr. Whitmore said there are 20-30 students interested in the program. The students interested are typically students not involved in other extracurricular activities. eSports has become very popular and colleges are awarding scholarships for it, there is a high demand for people that are good at it. 
Discussion also included equipment that would be needed, sponsor pay, and types of games that would or would not be allowed. 

Discussion:  There were no items removed from the Consent Agenda.

Discussion:  Jason Schapmann shared updates on all the financial reports, including cash balances, revenue, and expenditures.

Discussion:  Mr. Schapmann shared information on the staffing reports. There are 9 TERIP applications at this time. The deadline for turning them forms in is Friday, February 14, 2025.  He said everyone is working hard to fill open positions. Listed on the certified memo is the hire of Sarah Bird for the North Park Principal position.

Discussion:  The Travel Report shows travel to NPERS retirement seminars. 

Discussion:  The new fiscal year started for the Foundation January 1st, 2025. The report has a total for the month as $9144.74. 

Nicole Anderson, Foundation/Communications Director, shared that Grandfriends events are happening now and into the next few months. There are 16 applications for dual credits, and the Foundation has received 47 applications for scholarships.

Discussion: 

Teresa Hausmann, Director of Teaching and Learning, said that two more curriculums were updated at the high school. There was a meeting to plan for summer. Mrs. Hausmann talked about the executive order to evaluate curriculum resources. There were 133 staff connections made last month. 

Discussion: 

Jason Harris, Director of Special Education, said he has been meeting with people that were hired at semester. Mr. Harris said he has started to fill open positions for next year and get contracts signed. There is a shortage of speech and language pathologist, CPS may need to back to more contracted services for students. Dr. Kay added that we may need to partner with the hospital to get some SLP help.

Discussion: 

Sara Colford, Assistant Director of Student Services, shared a proposal for paying student teachers a stipend. The proposal included giving cooperative teachers a stipend. Mrs. Colford did have information on what other schools are offering. She also talked about the Threat Assessment Training that had been held recently.

Discussion:  Mr. Schapmann presented that the certified staff wage/benefit increase for 25-26 will be 4.3% based on year two of the current negotiated agreement.

Discussion: 

Leonard Kwapnioski, Director of Operations, shared the progress of the Kramer project. He said they have started painting today. They will start putting some HVAC equipment in place. Mr. Kwapnioski said the tiling around bathroom areas will being soon. The RFP for updated phone services, including a new service will be sent out soon. Thursday has been scheduled to receive elementary building vestibule bids. 

Discussion: 

Chip Kay, Superintendent,  shared information about the focus group. Questions were asked regarding what they would be supportive of to address our growing community. One concern was the traffic around our buildings. Dr. Kay said the next focus group would be some community members that don’t usually agree with decisions made by CPS. The goal will be to answer their questions and find out what requests they would approve on a bond vote. Dr. Kay shared how a new 5-6 building would allow some relief to this problem along with staffing of a new building.

Discussion: 

Dr. Kay said we will have the hearing next week. Summer school fees need to be added.

Discussion:  Amy Haynes, CMS Principal, shared updates to the course handbook descriptions.

Discussion: 

Dr. Kay said the board would be approving the trip May 20-23, 2026. Our policy states 1 year in advance for out-of state travel.

Discussion: 

Mr. Kwapnioski shared information on the CMS Auditorium Sound System Bid. This system would be what is required for our students. Other groups using the facility would need to bring their own equipment that would be compatible with the system. 

Discussion:  The board did not go into Executive Session.

Discussion:  The meeting was adjourned at 8:31pm.